Posted by By CHRIS ANUCHA and JULIANA FRANCIS on
No fewer than four persons were killed yesterday at the Balogun section of the International Trade Fair Complex along the Badagry expressway, Lagos, during a bloody clash between two factions of Balogun Business Association.
• 4 killed, several injured
No fewer than four persons were killed yesterday at the Balogun section of the International Trade Fair Complex along the Badagry expressway, Lagos, during a bloody clash between two factions of Balogun Business Association.
Several people also sustained gun shot wounds during the mayhem which saw the two opposing camps using guns and other dangerous weapons to settle scores.
Among those that lost their lives were a security man attached to the market and a young man, a loyalist to the current chairman of the association, Prince Tony Akanegbu, who allegedly wanted to stab the former chairman, Mr Okey.
The man was allegedly shot by mobile policeman to save Okey's life.
Shops were shut abruptly while the traders, who had earlier gathered in the morning to take part in a prayer session organised by the leadership of the market to dedicate their business activities for the year to God, were seen running helter skelter to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
A pastor invited for the programme and Akanegbu were whisked away by the securitymen when the battle became fierce.
Problem started when an Appeal Court dismissed a case filed by the Akanegbu-led executive trying to legitimize its leadership.
Daily Sun gathered that there had been heavy presence of securitymen at the Trade Fair as an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was seen stationed at a strategic position and stern-looking mobile policemen seen patrolling the area.
But the presence of the mobile policemen could not deter the former leadership which invaded the Trade Fair complex yesterday morning to sack the current leadership.
They found the venue of the prayer session appropriate to send the message home, that they are now in charge.
When Daily Sun visited the area, the shops were locked and the place deserted. Mobile policemen were seen making bonfires and asking traders to vacate the complex.
Meanwhile, the traders have expressed concern over the leadership tussle in the market. They also feared that the government may be forced to close the market indefinitely.